US President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to support Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The deal involves leasing back the strategically significant US-UK military base on Diego Garcia, with the cost being covered by British taxpayers. There have been concerns raised by US allies of the president regarding the implications for US security, leading the UK to offer Trump a virtual veto on the agreement.
During a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump stated, “We’re going to have some discussions about that very soon, and I have a feeling it’s going to work out very well.” He also mentioned the possibility of a long-term lease lasting about 140 years. Despite the initial plan for the UK to lease Diego Garcia for 99 years, with an option for a 40-year extension, the progress has been delayed to allow the new US administration to review the specifics of the deal.
The decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius was made public in October 2024 following negotiations with former Mauritian leader Pravind Jugnauth. However, issues arose after Jugnauth lost a parliamentary election, with his successor, Navin Ramgoolam, expressing dissatisfaction with the negotiated terms. This uncertainty has been exacerbated by concerns from some US politicians that the agreement could benefit China’s interests. Additionally, questions have been raised regarding the source of funds to compensate Mauritius for leasing the military base, particularly in light of recent increases in defense spending announced by the government.
Mauritius, having been a former British colony, has long contended that the Chagos Islands were unlawfully taken in exchange for their independence in 1968. The UK has faced mounting pressure from the international community to relinquish control of the archipelago, as various UN entities have sided with Mauritius on the issue of sovereignty. Although negotiations regarding the legal status of the islands were initiated by the previous Conservative government in late 2022, the current Labour-led administration has faced criticism for the terms agreed upon
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